Förståelig

Forståelig is a Swedish adjective meaning understandable, comprehensible, or easy to grasp. It is used to describe information, explanations, or situations that can be readily understood by readers or listeners, such as a clear text, a well-structured argument, or a straightforward instruction.

Etymology and relation to other terms: The word derives from the verb förstå (to understand) with the suffix -lig, forming an adjective that denotes something that can be understood. It is closely related to synonyms such as tydlig (clear) and begriplig (comprehensible), and it is often preferred in formal or academic contexts where precision and lucidity are emphasized. The opposite is unclear or difficult to understand, such as oklar or svårförståelig.

Usage and contexts: Förståelig is commonly used to evaluate or describe the quality of communication. It appears in technical writing, journalism, education, and public discourse to indicate that the material is accessible and logically coherent. It can modify nouns related to language, explanations, or arguments, for example: en förstålig text, ett förståeligt svar, eller förståliga texter. The term emphasizes clarity, coherence, and audience-friendliness.

Grammar notes: Like other Swedish adjectives, förståelig inflects to agree with gender and number of the noun. In indefinite common gender, you typically see en förstålig text; in neuter singular, ett förståeligt ord; in plural, förståliga texter. In definite constructions, the form follows standard adjective agreement patterns for the noun it modifies.

See also: clear, explicit, lucid, tydefull.